Salmon Fishing in the Yemen

May 15-17

Tue 7:30
Wed 7:30
Thu 7:30 (last show)

(UK / 2011 / Directed by Lasse Hallstrom)

PG-13 / 112 mins

An unlikely premise – bringing salmon fly-fishing to the arid wadis of Yemen to create a spiritual connection between people and nature – is beautifully realized and acted in this adaptation of a best-selling novel by prize winning screenwriter Simon (Slumdog Millionaire, 127 Hours) Beaufoy and director Lasse (Chocolate, My Life as a Dog) Hallstrom.

Fred Jones (Ewan McGregor), a dour and nearly loveless married British fisheries scientist finds himself forced to take seriously the idea of introducing salmon fishing to the Highlands of Yemen. Harriet Chetwode-Talbot (Emily Blunt), represents a wealthy and benevolent sheikh (Amr Waked), who makes frequent trips to his estate in the rugged Scottish highlands to pursue his love of fishing. The sheik believes that bringing the sport to his coun­try would benefit the people. Fred (McGregor) tries to laugh this off, but once the British prime minister’s spokesperson, Bridget Maxwell (Kristin Scott Thomas), decides to use the sheikh’s dream to promote a heart­felt story of British goodwill in the Middle East, he must take it seriously. Fred’s skepticism is matched only by the sheikh’s boundless optimism, and trumped by Harriet’s charm. Hallström’s delightful adventure, one in which theories and doubts are swept aside by a belief in the unattainable, is an extremely pleasing adventure.